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PARKER, C.O. (UPDATE 9/18) -- After an impressive showing at the 39th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, Yaroslav Merkulov fell 2 and 1 to Joseph Deraney of Tupelo, Miss. during the quarterfinals match at Colorado Golf Club. 

The 27-year-old who regained his amateur status in May 2019, had his best USGA showing since advancing to the quarterfinals during the 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur (where he lost to Jordan Speith). 

Recently, he won the Rochester District title by four strokes at his home course, Penfield Country Club. He won the 2009 NYS Men's Amateur, the 2009 and 2008 NYS Junior, and the 2006 NYS Sub-Junior.

PARKER, C.O. (UPDATE 9/18) -- Yaroslav Merkulov kept his momentum rolling throughout the Rounds of 32 and 16 during the U.S. Mid-Amateur matches at Colorado Golf Club. In the morning, he knocked off David Noll, Jr. of Dalton, Ga. in a 3 and 2 match. He then faced Jeremy Gearhart of Atascadero, California and defeated him 4 and 2. The match was tied through 11 holes, and Merkulov went birdie-par-birdie-eagle-birdie to close out the match.

He will face Joseph Deraney of Tupelo, Miss. in the quarterfinal match on Wednesday morning.

Related: U.S. Mid-Am Scoring

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PARKER, C.O. (UPDATE 9/17) -- Yaroslav Merkulov of Penfield defeated Brett Boner of Charlotte, N.C., 1 up, during the Round of 64. He will face David Noll, Jr. of Dalton, Ga. in the Round of 32.

Brandon Dalinka of New York City, who was the #4 seed in match play, fell in 21 holes to David Noll, Jr. of Dalton, Ga. during the Round of 64.

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PARKER, C.O. (UPDATE 9/16) -- Brandon Dalinka of New York City and Penfield's Yaroslav Merkulov were the only two players from the Empire State to advance through the stroke play rounds at the 39th U.S. Mid-Amateur.

Dalinka fired two under-par rounds of 69-68 to finish T2 at 5-under 137. As the #2 seed, he'll play against David Noll, Jr. of Dalton, Georgia in the Round of 64.

Merkulov, a four-time NYSGA champion, shot 74-71 for 3-over 145 and finished T33 to earn the 36th seed. He faces Brett Boner of Charlotte, North Carolina in the Round of 64.

Failing to make the two-round cut, which fell at 4-over 147, was recent U.S. Senior Amateur champion Bob Royak of Alpharetta, Ga. who followed an opening 70 with an 80 to finish at 150. Darin Goldstein of New York City finished at 151. Rich Vandermass finished at 155. Nicolas Donaldson finished at 160. Brent Herlihy finished at 164. James Welch of Albany came in at 166. Jason Zubatkin of Somers had a 174.

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PARKER, C.O. – Nine players from New York will compete in the 39th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Colorado Golf Club, September 14-19, in Parker, Colorado.

The group includes Brandon Dalinka, Nicholas Donaldson of Argentina, Darin Goldstein and Brent Herlihy, all of New York City, four-time NYS champion Yaroslav Merkulov of Penfield (2006 Boys’ Sub-Junior, 2008 & ’09 Boys’ Junior, 2009 Men’s Amateur), Rich VanderMass of Locust Valley, 2011 NYS Mid-Am winner James Welch of Albany and Jason Zubatkin of Somers. 

Related: U.S. Mid-Am Scoring

Guilderland native and recent U.S. Senior Amateur champion, Bob Royak of Alpharetta, Ga. earned an exemption during the USGA championship earlier this summer. Royak won the 1979 NYS Boys’ Junior Amateur Championship at Soaring Eagles.

The U.S. Mid-Amateur has 264 players in the field. They will compete over 36 holes of stroke play, after which a cut of the low 64 scorers will be applied. Those who make the cut will advance to the first of six rounds of match play before a champion is declared on Thursday.

The par-72 Colorado Golf Club layout will stretch to 7,561 yards. The CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora, Colorado will co-host the field during stroke play qualifying and will setup at 7,470 yards to a par of 70.

Dalinka, qualified out of Fairmount Country Club in Chatham, New Jersey with a 71.

Donaldson, also qualified at Fairmount Country Club in N.J. with a 72.

Goldstein, earned an exemption into the championship through WAGR top 30 age-eligible points leader category. He currently ranks 717 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Herlihy, qualified out of Glens Falls Country Club in Glens Falls, N.Y. with a 70. He was co-medalist at the qualifier. 

Merkulov, qualified at Indian Valley Country Club in Telford, P.A. by shooting 69.

Royak, earned an exemption during the U.S. Senior Amatuer earlier this summer, which he won by defeating Roger Newsom, 1 up, in the final at Old Chatham Golf Club.

VanderMass, qualified at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, N.Y. with a 69.

Welch, also shot a 70 at Glens Falls Country Club in Glens Falls, N.Y. to qualify and earn co-medalist honors. 

Zubatkin, also shot a 69 at Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, N.Y. to qualify.

Listed below are tee times for Round 1 on Saturday and Round 2 on Sunday (all times in MDT): 

(CO) – Colorado Golf Club

(CG) – CommGround Golf Course